Don’t you want a kitchen that works as well as it looks?
Kitchen upgrades are one of the best decisions you’ll make as a homeowner. As the room that affects every aspect of life in your home, it only makes sense to make the kitchen as perfect as possible.
Here’s the kicker…
You don’t have to spend every penny in your budget on upgrades to see a huge improvement.
Here are the 10 best kitchen upgrades for a modern home:
- Kitchen Upgrades Are Worth It
- Kitchen Upgrades: Best Places To Start
- Upgrade Your Storage & Layout First
- Focus on Countertops & Backsplashes
- Appliances: Don’t Skimp On Style or Function
- Let There Be Light (The Right Kind of Light)
- Bonus Tip: Smart kitchens for remote work and entertainment
Ready? Let’s renovate!
Kitchen Upgrades Are Worth It
Hang on to your hardhat. Statistics don’t lie.
Kitchen remodels can net up to a 96% return on investment if you play your cards right. While some upgrades will affect your home value more than others, there’s no denying that kitchen renovations as a whole are among the best money you can spend on home improvement.
That’s not even the best part.
54% of realtors actively recommend a kitchen upgrade before listing a home for sale. A great kitchen adds value to your home in the eyes of buyers, encourages higher offers, and helps homes sell faster than ever.
The kitchen is the heart of your home and also a part of your house that directly affects its value.
Whether you’re looking to sell in the future or just want a kitchen that’s better for your daily life, kitchen upgrades can pay for themselves and then some.
Kitchen Upgrades: Best Places To Start
When planning your kitchen upgrades, it’s important to think smart, not hard.
Throwing the budget at your cabinets and floors will give you some results, sure. But if you want a kitchen that excels in function as well as form, some places should be prioritized.
Unless your kitchen needs a complete overhaul, start with these areas when upgrading your kitchen:
- Countertops and backsplashes
- Cabinet hardware and finishes
- Lighting
- Appliances
You’ll thank yourself later if you save money where you can to spend on these upgrades.
Upgrade Your Storage & Layout First
Wait, storage isn’t a “look”?
Storage doesn’t seem like a kitchen upgrade at first glance — but stick with this.
Functionality is just as important to the overall feel of your kitchen as beauty. When homeowners say “my kitchen doesn’t feel like it works for me,” what they’re really saying is “there’s not enough storage.”
Think about how often you use your kitchen versus other rooms in the house. Kitchens are workhorses.
That’s why upgrades to your storage and kitchen layout are some of the most important changes you can make. Not only will they help your kitchen look nicer and function easier, but they also solve real problems you face every time you cook or bake.
Smart storage upgrades can include:
- Deep pull-out drawers instead of floor-to-ceiling cabinets
- Rolling corner cabinet carousel units
- Spice racks and utensil dividers
- Ceiling-mounted pot racks (if you have high ceilings)
- Pot trays and lazy Susans under cabinets
Countertops & Backsplashes: High Impact and Low Effort
Welcome to the one and only place you should spend the majority of your budget – right after storage, of course.
Countertops are updated in 91% of renovated kitchens, and backsplashes in 86%. When the kitchen reno is over, these two aspects are what people notice first.
Don’t overwhelm yourself with choices either. Stick to timeless classics that will stand the test of trends. Neutral colors with bold design features always look high-end and modern.
Popular countertop materials:
- Quartz – durable, low maintenance, great range of styles
- Butcher block – affordable, warm, adds texture
- Marble (or marble-looking porcelain) – never go out of style
As for backsplashes, it’s all about mixing materials.
Mixing textures and finishes is one of the biggest kitchen trends happening now. Pick one method of texture – subway tile, for example – and then layer in accent tiles with a different finish. Matte tile with a brushed metal grout is very in right now, for instance.
Appliances: Where Fashion Meets Function
If there’s one thing that will age your kitchen faster than everything else, it’s outdated appliances.
Swap them out for modern, energy-efficient models that look better and perform better. New appliances run quieter, cook faster, and use way less energy.
Here are the appliance upgrades to prioritize in modern kitchens:
- Refrigerators – French door, bottom-freezer style are the gold standard now.
- Dishwashers – Quieter and more water-efficient than you can believe.
- Range and cooktop – Induction cooktops are super popular right now for good reason. They heat faster, allow for precise cooking, and are SO easy to clean.
- Range hood – Improper ventilation is the enemy of your kitchen. Get a good range hood that will filter your air and keep your kitchen smelling fresh.
Pro-tip: Don’t be afraid to mix finishes when it comes to appliances. Brushed stainless appliances pair wonderfully with matte black or even panel-ready units these days. Fancy restaurants do it. You can too.
Let There Be Light (The Right Kind Of Light)
If your kitchen only has one overhead light fixture, prepare for a laundry list of upgrades.
Fluorescent bulbs directly above your head aren’t going to cut it. Kitchens need layered lighting to function properly and look modern.
A well-lit kitchen will have three types of lighting:
- Ambient lighting – think your main source overhead light
- Task lighting – strip lighting under cabinets that illuminate work areas
- Accent lighting – inside glass cabinets, shelving, or even “toe kick” lights along the bottoms of cabinets for a fancy touch
Installing pendant lights above your island or breakfast bar is an easy kitchen upgrade that fills out the space.
BONUS: Smart Kitchen Upgrades To Elevate Functionality
Bonus round!
If you’re going to spend money on a kitchen upgrade, you may as well go big. Here’s a trend that’s sweeping kitchens worldwide…
Smart kitchens.
Whether you work from home, entertain guests often, or simply love to show off your culinary creations on social media – smart kitchens were made for you.
Ready for some game-changing tech? From fridge to oven, smart kitchen appliances are here to upgrade your kitchen experience. After all, if your kitchen is the heart of your home, it deserves a programmable brain.
That’s A Wrap
Congrats! You’re well on your way to designing your dream kitchen.
Quick recap: start with countertops and backsplashes for instant appeal. Next, tackle storage and cabinet upgrades that improve the functionality of your kitchen. Then move onto the big guns – don’t be afraid to spend on modern appliances that will outlast any decorating trend. And when it comes to lighting, think of your kitchen as a layer cake.
Remember:
- Storage and layout
- Surfaces
- Appliances
- Lighting
Boom. You’re ready to upgrade your kitchen in a way that blends beautiful form and amazing function. Your wallet and future self will thank you!
